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General control line discussion => Open Forum => Topic started by: peabody on December 13, 2013, 06:30:04 AM

Title: John D'
Post by: peabody on December 13, 2013, 06:30:04 AM
Hi ....
Stunt and control line legend and all around nice guy John D'Ottavio will be 91 this year......
John has suffered some health issues of late and I know that he would appreciate good wishes from the stunt community.
Please address cards to his son Nick:

Nick D'Ottavio
15 Petersburg Rd.
Hackettstown,
New Jersey,  07840

I know he'll appreciate it!
Title: Re: John D'
Post by: Elwyn Aud on December 14, 2013, 03:59:06 PM
From Brodak's 2013
Title: Re: John D'
Post by: Dan McEntee on December 14, 2013, 04:27:05 PM
    I got to meet John a time or two when attending the NATS in Muncie, and I think he was in just about every video that Windy ever made, wasn't he? I have the plans for his JD Falcon and Topper in my Classic era plans collection. John is truly one of the great characters and gentleman of stunt, and best wishes and prayers go out to John and his family.
    Happy Holidays,
    Dan McEntee
Title: Re: John D'
Post by: Clint Ormosen on December 14, 2013, 07:22:05 PM
Sure would like to meet him. Unfortunately he's on the other side of the country. The JD FALCON is one of he most beautiful models ever! I have a kit, but I need "better" building skills before I build it.
Title: Re: John D'
Post by: Brett Buck on December 14, 2013, 11:30:38 PM
Quote from: Clint Ormosen on December 14, 2013, 07:22:05 PM
Sure would like to meet him. Unfortunately he's on the other side of the country. The JD FALCON is one of he most beautiful models ever! I have a kit, but I need "better" building skills before I build it.


   You'd love him, Johnny D is the greatest. Always happy!

     Brett
Title: Re: John D'
Post by: pipemakermike on December 15, 2013, 06:14:17 AM
The JD FALCON was my first real stunt model and the first model I flew in competition.
Title: Re: John D'
Post by: peabody on December 15, 2013, 06:53:58 AM
OT, but Tom Niebuhr makes a terrific kit of the Falcon
Title: Re: John D'
Post by: James_Mynes on December 15, 2013, 07:03:40 AM
When is his birthday?
Title: Re: John D'
Post by: john e. holliday on December 15, 2013, 07:42:42 AM
I too remember meeting John at past NATS as he was usually running the pull test area.   I hope to match or beat him in age and energy.   Great gentleman I wish I could know better.
Title: Re: John D'
Post by: dale gleason on December 15, 2013, 10:11:11 AM
He's "Johnny th' D" to me. He came to Dallas for a few months installing floors in supermarkets.  He was out at Hobby Park a lot, too. Those were great days. We  went out on the lake fishing, I think Mike Greb and Phil Dunlap were with us, just a great time. I think he was only eighty around that time, he has tireless energy, always smiling.

He helped me install the hardwood floor in our dining room, and that is where I learned a lot about this man. He is a  Navy SeaBee and in WWII, put in runways as the Japanese were being pushed back in the Pacific. SeaBees not only constructed air bases, but also had to defend them as they were built. It was rough. After the war, John got off the boat, went to trade school and practiced his trade the next century or so. He still uses the same specialized tools he bought back in the forties.

I could go on and on, but he will probably kick my behind for blabbing this much, which I would consider an honor.....Happy Birthday, John!!

dale g